stinger

[ sting-er ]

/ ˈstɪŋ ər /

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noun

a person or thing that stings.

an animal or plant having a stinging organ.

the sting or stinging organ of an insect or other animal.

Informal. a stinging blow, remark, or the like.

a cocktail made of brandy and crème de menthe.

Stinger, Military. a U.S. Army shoulder-launched, heat-seeking antiaircraft missile with a range of 3 miles (5 kilometers).

British Informal. a highball of whiskey and soda.

Television.

a clip appearing during or after the closing credits of a show or movie:The next season’s new cast member appears briefly in the stinger.
sting (def. 21).

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of stinger

First recorded in 1545–55; sting + -er¹

Words nearby stinger

stimulus, stimy, Stine, sting, stingaree, stinger, stinginess, stinging capsule, stinging hair, stinging nettle, stinging tree

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use stinger in a sentence

A brain-feeling stinger is just one example of the myriad ways animals sense the world around them.
Ed Yong’s ‘An Immense World’ reveals how animals perceive the world|Erin Garcia de Jesús|July 6, 2022|Science News
The researchers used fluorescent dye to see the stingers in action and scanning electron microscopy to reconstruct their three-dimensional structure.
Here’s how sea anemones launch their venomous stingers|Meghan Rosen|July 5, 2022|Science News
Scientists had an idea of how such stingers worked, but until now, had never gotten so up close and personal.
Here’s how sea anemones launch their venomous stingers|Meghan Rosen|July 5, 2022|Science News
Stingers and other tools, for instance, seek local, naturally occurring magnetic field variations.
The US government is hunting for rare metals out West. That doesn’t fly with some locals.|Sarah Scoles/Undark|November 10, 2021|Popular-Science

Then, in desperate need of a big hit from somewhere, Roberts asked Justin Turner — who was out of the lineup for the first time in 77 Dodgers postseason games because of a stinger in his neck — to pinch-hit for Gavin Lux.
Eddie Rosario is the hero this time as the Braves walk off the Dodgers again in NLCS Game 2|Chelsea Janes|October 18, 2021|Washington Post
In the later stages of the war, the American-made Stinger missile was introduced and wreaked havoc among the Soviet helicopters.
CIA Agents Assess: How Real Is ‘Homeland’?|Chuck Cogan, John MacGaffin|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The nose—as anyone knows who ever has received a stinger from an errant baseball—has countless pain fibers.
The Writhing, Miserable Reality of Force Feeding at Guantánamo Bay|Kent Sepkowitz|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Certain weapons like Stinger missiles are extremely hard to control once they are transferred,” he said.
Syrian Opposition Leaders: We Need U.S. Weapons|Eli Lake|July 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A tactful man can pull the stinger from a bee without getting stung.
Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son|George Horace Lorimer
As for the “Prince,” he seemed totally unconscious of his surroundings as he slid one more stinger over the plate.
Mystery Wings|Roy J. Snell
But Stinger would not consent, and it was understood that the dangerous task was to be undertaken by him who proposed it.
Ned in the Block-House|Edward S. Ellis
As he spoke, he began descending the ladder, which answered for the stairs, Stinger following him.
Ned in the Block-House|Edward S. Ellis
Inasmuch as Stinger wished to get out, and they wished to get in, they might 89 as well have exchanged positions.
Ned in the Block-House|Edward S. Ellis

British Dictionary definitions for stinger (1 of 2)

stinger

/ (ˈstɪŋə) /

noun

a person, plant, animal, etc, that stings or hurts

Australian any marine creature that stings its victims, esp the box jellyfish

Also: stengah a whisky and soda with crushed ice

British Dictionary definitions for stinger (2 of 2)

Stinger

/ (ˈstɪŋə) /

noun

trademark a device, consisting of a long track of raised spikes, laid across a road by police to puncture the tyres of escaping vehicles

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for stinger

stinger

[ stĭng′ər ]

A sharp stinging organ, such as that of a bee, scorpion, or stingray. Stingers usually inject venom.